Life today is rough and I'm not talking about my personal life, but life in general.Present day life in 2012. There's a rough reality of everything from the economy to violence on our streets, violence in our schools, to frustrating political leaders, corrupt neighbors and everything in between.
Society seems to have an obsession with seeking out instant "miracle cures" to anxieties and everyday stressors. The common folk of today is in bed with the reality of not knowing what reality is. Teens seek to be adults before their bodies even begin to evolve into adult form yet adults are too scared to be adults, let alone be parents. While every night our news programs tease us, draw us in and hook us for a full hour with stories of sex, violence, crimes and political problems. No wonder we've evolved into the lackluster state of nothingness that is today's society.
I came across an excellent excerpt in a book that I am reading called Hardcore Zen that talks about seeking out Truth but more so reflects our society:
"The world is in deep shit right now. The only thing that can possibly save us from our own self-induced destruction is direct knowledge of the truth. I say that without any reservation at all. Mankind cannot survive unless the truth dawns - from within - in each and every one of us. No political solution, bellicose or peaceful, will ever save us. No law. No pact. No treaty. No war..."
Yet as we can all see the ever so changing landscape of our country and our society there seems to be talk of change, but nothing done or at least no unless there's another four years. As all this unfolds before our eyes like a prime time drama. Shrinks, counselors and bars are at record highs of customers in need of ways to find faith for a better day. Yet we have the Church on a decline. Faith ceases to exist in the lives of the vocal majority. The one place you can actually get a positive message, restore hope and love in your life and learn how to be the change, is no longer the focal point of our lives. Did you know that only about 31 percent of Catholics in the Diocese of Cleveland attend Mass regularly, yet we all cry out for help and claim to hold on to faith in our own lives when it's convenient or we have hit rock bottom? When I began this blog I didn't set out to make it all holy and spiritual yet it just seems to have grown into that. I've never been out spoken of my faith, not even when I was a YM, those people scare me. I am not those people. I will never those people. Yet, the more I see our world the more I see the meaning of faith in our lives.
I don't need another 24 hour news program or a group of "qualified experts" to tell me that our society is falling into a black hole of self inflicted doubt and that our kids are struggling to be heard. Just the other day during a prayer activity with the Jr. High class I teach I came across a whole slew of cries for help. Two of which brought tears to my eyes. The first read "I'm scared that no one loves me" and the other was "I'm skaired about talking to other people I don't usilay talk to." Others read about fitting in, and a few were in regards to being bullied. So aside from the obvious failure of the American educational system and spelling/ grammar classes, it is quite clear that not just in the case of the teens, but in our society we are missing two key pieces: Love and Service. Which happen to be the cornerstone of our faith...Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Muslim, etc.
Brad Warner, the author of Hardcore Zen, later wrote in the chapter that "politicians can't solve the problem of how to find their own asses with two hands and a flashlight, let alone figure out anything else more complex..." I think it's so true in many ways, not just for elected officials, but for all of us who are lost in life and I believe that if it weren't for Christ's teachings I would not be able to figure out anything here on Earth. Instead I'd have my two hands and a flashlight (I'm a hiker so probably my headlamp) attempting to find me arse, or at least trying hard to remove my head from it. I'm sure many would agree...and if you're offended or sitting there disagreeing most likely your head is up there so keep looking, I've got a flashlight.
We attempt, day after day, to seek out Truth and our purpose yet the main worry we should have is living each day like it were our last. Always seeking our adventure and living with a loving heart to serve others. Imagine the difference we would make if everyone lived to love and serve others...the world would be a beautiful place. People will buy self help books, take classes, spend countless dollars on life changing gimmicks, yet we don't consider starting with a simple conversation with the one who loves us the most, God.
This isn't a religious blog nor will I always preach, but what I will always portray in my writing is to always seek adventure and live life and for me there is no better way to accomplish both than by living it the way I was shown, the way we've all been shown. It's been written about, discussed, debated, preached studied and has survived for thousands of years and there's got to be a reason why it's still around after 2,000+ years. Live life and live it with love and a want to serve others in everything you do and nothing will stop you from truth and happiness. Take that, and a mustard seed of faith, and nothing will be impossible for you, that's how we change the world.
Until next time...
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